LAS VEGAS
Season 5
DVD Review by Nigel A. Messenger
UK DVD: Universal Playback
Cast: Josh Duhamel, Molly Sims, James Lesure, Vanessa Marcil, Tom Selleck, Camille Guaty, James Caan
UK Certificate: 15
UK DVD Release Date: 13 October 2008
LAS VEGAS SEASON 5 picks up directly from the season 4 finally as Ed and his team work to find out who was behind the robbery and Delinda (Molly Sims) reveals to Danny (Josh Duhamel) that she is pregnant. This is a great episode but also quite a strange one as it seems like it has more in common with season 4 what with the cast changes that the rest of season 5 has lined up.
As the events of season 4 are concluded and Ed (James Caan) departs the show along with Mary (Nikki Cox), AJ Cooper (Tom Selleck) the Montecito's new owner is introduced with a large element of mystery surrounding his character.
As the season progresses, as well as their weekly adventures we see a number of amusing situations occur as Danny and Delinda prepare, in their own unique way, for the birth of their first child. Danny also finally becomes President of the Montecito.
We also see Sam (Vanessa Marcil) reveal, in her own unique way, to her psychiatrist the effects her kidnapping actually had.
Plus series regular Mike (James Lesure) spends much of the series falling for newcomer Piper (Camille Guaty) who has replaced Mary.
So that's the general outline of the series but it's the episodes individual stories feel that really keep this season alive. Whilst all of this seasons shows provide the necessary dose of glamour and fun, there are some particularly outstanding episodes.
WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMON BARS, I just love the title, sees some superb casting as two of AJ Cooper's old buddies come to town. Now anyone who knows anything about TV on seeing the episode cast will realise that these guys are also Tom Selleck's old buddies from MAGNUM PI, yes it's Rick and TC in the guise of Larry (Larry Manetti) and Roger (Roger E. Mosley). It's great to see these three characters on screen together again, it's just a shame that they are only in the one episode!
ADVENTURES IN THE SKIN TRADE is another hugely entertaining episode with Delinda convincing Danny that he should be the spokesman for Las Vegas's exotic dancers as they go on strike.
3 BABES, 100 GUNS AND A FAT CHICK, another brilliant episode title and another brilliant episode as three bounty hunters visit the casino all tracking the same person. To mix things up a bit on of the bounty hunters in a hot babe who served in Iraq with Danny. Plus three more hot babes help Piper at the hotel pool.
THREE WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL parts 1 and 2 make up the final two episodes of the season as Mike and Piper's secret marriage becomes widespread knowledge and a 'real' much larger affair is planned. There is also another robbery in part one, but it's part two which builds to the big season finale and a cliff-hanger which looks like it will never be resolved.
LAS VEGAS SEASON 5 has nineteen episodes as unfortunately it was hit by the writers strike as most of the 2007/2008 shows were, however at nineteen episodes LAS VEGAS got off lightly compared to most shows.
Although it was a very enjoyable season the strike was probably to blame for the axe falling and the network cancelling the show. But whatever the reason it does mean that the cliff-hanger ending will probably be unanswered which is a shame.
I guess there is always the possibility of a made for DVD movie which could become a trend for axed but still popular shows but that may just be wishful thinking as for now at least the DVD box set will have to suffice.
EPISODE LISTING
A Hero Ain't Nothing But a Sandwich
Shrink Rap
The Glass Is Always Cleaner
Head Games
Run, Cooper, Run!
When Life Gives You Lemon Bars
Adventures in the Skin Trade
It's Not Easy Being Green
My Uncle's a Gas
The High Price of Gas
A Cannon Carol
I Could Eat a Horse
3 Babes, 100 Guns and a Fat Chick
Secrets, Lies and Lamaze
Guess Who's Coming to Breakfast
2 on 2
Win, Place, Bingo
Three Weddings and a Funeral Pt 1
Three Weddings and a Funeral Pt 2